HutchFan

I hear you -- but the "prestige" sensibility never came across to me. It might be a function of my age. I was first encountering Pablo records well after-the-fact -- in the late-80s and early-90s when I was first getting into jazz. So I wasn't there when they first came out. Maybe that's part of the equation. Who knows.

So true! IMO, most Pablo covers not only look amateurish; they look downright CHEAP. There's no design sensibility at all -- even when (as occasionally happens) the cover photography is strong. Minimalistic (and inexpensive) design doesn't have to look cheap. It bugs me because it's a disservice to the music. People shouldn't have to "overcome" the packaging to get to the music. The design should invite listeners in! Creed Taylor understood that.

Yes! It's superb album. Carmen in full flight! Earlier: Now: I think Renee Rosnes is a wonderful musician.

Give it a spin, if you're so inclined. We're all looking for stuff that scratches our own particular itches, not somebody else's. But it is fun to compare notes.

OTOH, at times, Dorn's "strangeness" was exactly what was needed. At least from where I'm sitting. For example, his work with Rahsaan and Eddie Harris would be case-in-point. I'm glad that RRK's and Harris' albums don't sound like normal jazz records. It would've been like putting round pegs in square holes. I know that many listeners regard their records as "over-produced" and view them as marketplace compromises. I don't.

I'd put Red Clay right up there with Straight Life as some of the best music Hubbard ever made -- and some of the best music released on CTI. So I can't imagine getting rid of it. Then again, we all hear differently.

Thanks for the heads-up on this. Streaming it right now.

Now the first LP from this set: Personnel on Sides 1 & 2: Coleman Hawkins (ts); Hilton Jefferson (as); Jimmy Hamilton (cl, arr); Joe Newman (tr); J.C. Higginbotham (tb); Tiny Grimes (g); Claude Hopkins (p); Wendell Marshall (b); Bill English (d) / recorded on April 14, 1961 Quite the clarinet contrast going from Pee Wee Russell to Jimmy Hamilton. They're as different as could be -- but I love them both.

That looks tempting.

Fair enough. To each, his own.

More Pee Wee: Various Artists - Jam Session in Swingville featuring Coleman Hawkins and Pee Wee Russell (Prestige, 1975) Personnel on Sides 3 & 4: Pee Wee Russell (cl); Al Sears (ts, arr); Buddy Tate (ts, cl); Vic Dickenson (tb); Danny Barker (g); Cliff Jackson (p); Joe Benjamin (b); J.C. Heard (d) / recorded on May 19, 1961

Now: Pee Wee Russell - A Legend (Mainstream, 1965) An album in the "Commodore Jazz Classics - Original Recordings Series"

Thanks for sharing. Good stuff.

The nice thing about your approach -- letting go of anything that doesn't really appeal to you -- is that your collection becomes very refined. You're dialed in on the gold. No dross. I suppose I'll do that sort of thing at some point in the future. Not yet though.

Another Jimmy Rushing LP: Listen to the Blues with Jimmy Rushing - with Pete Johnson and Band (Jazztone, 1956) Originally recorded for Vanguard

Love that Gerald Wilson album cover. ^ Great photo & simple-but-effective design. The only downside of having GW's Mosaic set is that I don't have those original album covers! I'm now listening to Mr. 5 x 5: The Jazz Odyssey of James Rushing Esq. with Buck Clayton and His Orchestra (Columbia, 1957)

I occasionally cull my collection -- but only a tiny little bit. Usually, it's just pallid stuff that I'd pulled from the dollar bin. I wouldn't part with anything by Hemphill or DeJohnette or Harrell. The collector in me is too ungenerous to let those sorta records go. I know space is a concern for some folks. That's understandable. I'm fortunate to have my basement. The shelves are pretty much full, but there's still room on the floor!

Shelly Manne & His Men - At The Black Hawk, Vol. 3 (Contemporary/OJC, 1960)

Next up: Kenny Drew Trio - Morning (Inner City/SteepleChase, 1976) with Philip Catherine (g) and NHØP (b)

Listening to some Cleo Laine LPs that arrived in the mail yesterday. Earlier: Now: